AyeDubbleYoo

I don't think the rules say that putting heads together is an automatic red card, do they? Of course nobody 'should' react, but it's not in a normal person's instincts to expect another person to jump to the floor when you do nothing to them. It's a bit of a false criticism.

Chelsea-senses tingling.

I'm worried we won't get people in, but I'm not worried that the club isn't trying.

FWIW, I think Gomez is a good player.

Of course, yeah, but there doesn't seem to be any appetite for it. FWIW you probably don't even need to book people, you just need to stop giving them fouls. That might actually be more comfortable for referees to implement.

I’ve considered doing that It is mad though, in most walks of life people pretend to be OK when they’re hurt, act as strong as possible, keeping going despite any odds. And in football the culture is for adults to pretend to be injured and roll about on the ground. I honestly don’t know how they can do it.

Makes too much sense. Bring back Garth.

Everyone knows what happened. The ref was conned by a diving cheat and VAR are now predisposed to back the on-field ref so were too weak to change it. It’s absolutely criminal that Schar misses 3 games for this. Disgusting.

I don’t get why anyone could be worried

Well not quite, if the fee isn't right they don't do the deal.

We will improve with Tonali playing but I'm not sure that loads of possession is really in Howe's game plan. I love keeping the ball and starving the opposition but we might just have to accept that it's not going to be our style.

My memory is terrible but I really don't expect a fluent performance and convincing win on the first day of the season. Especially when some players have played so little in preseason. I'm confident that we would've won about 2-0 or better without the red card.

We won't play like that against everyone for the whole season.

I reckon Howe probably knew how Southampton would play and decided it was OK to contain them and allow them to aimlessly pass. Just love Eddie Howe man, we won't ever get many managers better than this. It's happened maybe once in my lifetime

The 3 game ban is excessive when the conduct is not actually violent. Presumably that sanction is intended to punish a stamp or a headbutt etc, not touching faces with another adult man.

Amazing even considered being able to get back from that distance away

Thought we were discussing Elliot Anderson on the ‘we’ll have to sell class players’ tip

Yep, came on 70 minute sub.

Well if that’s the case then we won’t do it. So nothing to worry about.

This is a really good point, for me Guehi would be the first next-level signing that a team like Man City would make. Not that Guehi is a next-level player as such, but he's a proven quality player in a position we need, so we go out and get him. That's what top teams do. I also don't care about the price too much, I'm assuming that the club won't pay a price that will put future plans at risk.

My only worry with him being captain was whether he'd go off the deep end by trying too hard, but he did very well to battle really hard without going to far.

With another CB who will also start ahead of him.

Me too

The away kit looks really nice in real life, might be tempted.

But what about what he’s going to do in the future?